Thursday, April 3, 2008

The Sound of Springtime Evenings

© Pancaketom | Dreamstime.com
For my wall calendar this year, I bought the 2008 Phenology Calendar, which is specific to Wisconsin and produced by state and university experts. Phenology is concerned with tracking plant and animal cycles, such as when wild plants bloom and when birds and animals arrive in the spring or emerge from hibernation.

According to the calendar, in the month of April, I can expect brown bats (both little and big) to return to the area. Coyote pups will be born as well. The nocturnal creatures are stirring, becoming active again.

I can also expect to hear the chorus of leopard and pickerel frogs. They aren't singing yet, but they will be soon. This nighttime serenade is such a wonderful part of springtime evenings. Here's a video preview of what's to come.